Beer Tour Makes its Way to the Brewhaus

Known for its hospitable atmosphere and playful interior, the Basement Brewhaus is making the press with its annual Beer Tour.

For $1.50, any person over the age of 21 can sample one full Wisconsin beer a week, keeping track on a punch card for every new brew.

12 punches on the card are equal to five “Brewbucks,” which is a gift certificate 13 punches are equal to a pint glass, and 14 punches are equal to a one of a kind 2014 Beer Tour t-shirt.

However, if a participant misses a brew of the week, the game is over, keeping students on their toes.

Photos by Emily Hoffmann.Hannah St. Aubin, a senior and Brewhaus employee, puts a hole in a student’s Brewhaus Beer Tour punch card.

“I really want that t-shirt,” said Sam Bussan, a University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student.

The glory of the t-shirt is fame in itself. It singles out the wearer as a UWSP beer aficionado. Beer enthusiasts all over campus unite for this event.

The reasonable pricing and chance to try all sorts of Wisconsin brews makes it easy for students to flock to the basement of the Dreyfus University Center, despite barely advertising to the 1,153 students on the Basement Brewhaus Facebook page.

It does, however, offer up the information on three-sided paper table centerpieces.

“You know, college students are always looking for a way to save so it’s nice to be able to do that and try new beer at the same time,” said Brewhaus barista Hannah St. Aubin.

Every week a new brew gets its moment in the spotlight. Some of these beers are even more special since they are not always offered or available at the Brewhaus. This gives students a chance they would not otherwise have had.

It did not take long to find a student involved in the beer tour.

The first person asked said they were involved indeed as they described the beer of the week, a Burly Brown Ale.

“People are excited,” St. Aubin said.

It is clear in the bustling conversations at the Brewhaus that students, and even the occasional staff member, are excited to try new beers and mingle.

The coffee shop by day, pub by night routine is really working for The Basement Brewhaus, bringing in students with its Thursday Dollar Bottle nights and ever more with this fun, experimental Beer Tour.